Today, September 19th, Derrick J. Cotlong, 45, was found guilty as
charged on one (1) count Violation of a Protective Order-2nd Offense; and two (2) counts Resisting an Officer with Force or Violence.
In 2021, the victim in this case received a lifetime protective order
against Cotlong. The protective order stated that Cotlong was not to go within 100 yards of the victim, her school, or her residence. In 2023, Cotlong violated that protective order by driving to
the victim’s school in an attempt to see her. Once law enforcement officers arrived on scene, Cotlong became verbally aggressive and had to be detained.
“Today is a win for victims of domestic violence; I hope today’s verdict
shows domestic violence victims that we at the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office, see you, hear you, and will support you every step of the way. Domestic violence is not tolerated here
in Calcasieu in any shape or form and abusers will be held accountable for their actions. I am incredibly proud of our team for how they prosecuted this case to the end and I am even more proud
of the victim in this case, who is just seven years old, for taking the stand and letting her voice be heard.” said Calcasieu Parish District Attorney Stephen Dwight.
Cotlong will be sentenced on February 7, 2025 and is being held without
bond.
Assistant District Attorneys Jordan Sutterfield and Kadence Huber
prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office.